Thailand eyes 20% rise in exports to Asean after robust 8-month

growthEconomyOctober
By PHUWIT LIMVIPHUWAT

THE NATION THAILAND intends to increase exports to Asean markets by

20 per cent this year, Commerce Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong said
yesterday.“In terms of exports to the Asean region, so far, Thailand has
been performing exceptionally in 2018,” Sontirat said. Exports have seen
double-digit growth year on year for the period January to August, he
said. “Until the upcoming election, we aim to sustain this positive
momentum in exports to the Asean market and have set a target of 20
per cent growth,” he said.
With the election approaching in early 2019, there was not a lot of time
left for the current government with regards to the goals of the
Commerce Ministry, Sontirat said, adding, the ministry intended to use
the remaining time efficiently to boost trade, establish strong
foundations for the lumber industry and enhance Thai services. “The
Commerce Ministry has always prioritised Thai-Asean trade. Of all our
foreign trade, we attach the greatest importance to exports to the Asean
region,” he said. Thailand will greatly benefit from growth in exports to
other Asean countries as the Kingdom is geographically located in the
centre of the region. A healthy growth in Thai-Asean exports will help
strengthen various aspects of the Thai economy such as manufacturing,
agriculture and services, Sontirat said. Speaking of the ongoing trade war
between the US and China, he said Thailand will first have to gain a
clearer understanding of how it affects Thai enterprises. There will be
both winners and losers from the trade war in Thailand.